China 's brand new moon rover is already saying farewell .

The diminutive lunar explorer , known as Jade Rabbit , or `` Yutu '' in Chinese , was about halfway through a three-month mission to study the moon 's crust when it suffered a potentially crippling breakdown , said state media .

The report , authored by China 's state-run Xinhua news , was written in the voice of the rover itself .

`` Although I should 've gone to bed this morning , my masters discovered something abnormal with my mechanical control system , '' said the Xinhua report , in the voice of the Jade Rabbit . `` My masters are staying up all night working for a solution . I heard their eyes are looking more like my red rabbit eyes . ''

`` Nevertheless , I 'm aware that I might not survive this lunar night , '' it added .

During a lunar night , which lasts about 14 Earth days , the moon 's surface temperature can plunge to minus-180 Celsius . To make it through the cold , the lunar rover must `` hibernate '' to preserve its delicate electronics .

If a mechanical problem keeps it from hibernating properly , then the Rabbit could freeze to death .

Named after a mythical rabbit who lives on the moon , Yutu was a source of national pride when it launched into space last December along with the lunar lander Chang ` e-3 , named after the moon goddess who kept Yutu by her side .

The successful lunar landing made China the third country in the world to perform a `` soft landing '' on the moon 's surface .

Earlier , Yutu and Chang ' e survived their first lunar night together , from Christmas until the second week of January .

The Chang ` e-3 lander successfully entered a second hibernation on Friday and is expected to function normally for another year .

'' -LSB- Chang ` e -RSB- does n't know about my problems yet , '' said the voice of Yutu in the Xinhua report . `` If I ca n't be fixed , everyone please comfort her . ''

On social media , thousands of Chinese internet users sent their well-wishes to the little robot .

`` You have done a great job , Yutu . You have endured extreme hot and cold temperatures and shown us what we have never seen , '' wrote one microblogger , as quoted by Xinhua .

Another wrote : `` This is too heavy a burden . If the rabbit can not stand again , maybe we should let it have a rest . ''

Despite the setbacks , even the little Rabbit seemed aware of the odds it had overcome .

`` Before departure , I studied the history of mankind 's lunar probes . About half of the past 130 explorations ended in success ; the rest ended in failure , '' noted the Jade Rabbit in its report .

`` This is space exploration ; the danger comes with its beauty . I am but a tiny dot in the vast picture of mankind 's adventure in space .

`` The sun has fallen , and the temperature is dropping so quickly ... to tell you all a secret , I do n't feel that sad . I was just in my own adventure story - and like every hero , I encountered a small problem , '' said the Rabbit .

`` Goodnight , Earth , '' it said . `` Goodnight , humanity . ''

Moon rover launched successfully

Is Asia on cusp of space race ?

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The Jade Rabbit moon rover suffers serious malfunction , says state media

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Report written in the voice of the rover says `` I might not survive this lunar night ''

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Chinese social media users have flooded the rover with well-wishes

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`` Goodnight Earth , goodnight humanity , '' says the Jade Rabbit in the report